News from our local schools

Discover Excellence at Rylstone Public School
Rylstone Public School is a vibrant and dynamic educational community that has been nurturing academic excellence and fostering high expectations since 1857. With a strong commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment, the school ensures every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.

At the heart of Rylstone Public School’s approach is the belief that high expectations form the foundation of successful learning. The dedicated staff are focused on inspiring students to strive for excellence in all areas of their education. Through tailored teaching methods and individualised support, the school challenges each student to excel academically while developing critical thinking skills and a lifelong love of learning.

The importance of safety and inclusivity is evident in the school’s welcoming playground and strong community values. Students are encouraged to build friendships and social skills in a secure environment that celebrates diversity and promotes mutual respect. Initiatives across the school support positive interactions and create a culture where every child feels a sense of belonging.

Academic achievement is a hallmark of the Rylstone experience, with students consistently performing at or above state benchmarks. A broad and engaging curriculum, combined with a focus on continuous improvement, equips students with the skills and confidence to succeed in school and beyond.

The school is supported by an enthusiastic and welcoming P&C and enjoys a thriving community spirit. Rylstone Public School continues to shape the leaders of tomorrow - proving that with the right support and high expectations, every student can achieve success.

One Community, Two Campuses, Endless Possibilities
St Matthews Catholic School has experienced remarkable growth over the past decade, evolving into a thriving dual-campus educational community. Since 2023, students from Kindergarten to Year 6 have continued to learn at the well-established Lewis Street Campus in the heart of Mudgee’s CBD, while those in Years 7 to 12 now enjoy learning at the stunning, purpose-built Secondary Campus on Bruce Road.

The Secondary Campus spans nine hectares and offers exceptional facilities, including a chapel, state-of-the-art music and drama spaces, a multipurpose hall, modern sporting fields, dedicated vocational education and training rooms, and expansive areas for agriculture. It’s a setting designed to inspire students and support diverse pathways for learning and development.

Despite the expansion, St Matthews remains one school with one community. The continuity of a Kindergarten to Year 12 journey within a single school environment offers families a consistent and nurturing approach to faith, learning, and wellbeing. This seamless transition between primary and secondary schooling fosters a strong sense of belonging and provides students with a familiar and supportive setting, which can reduce the stress of change and increase confidence during critical educational milestones.

Students at St Matthews benefit from sustained friendships, shared values, and a learning culture that encourages growth at every stage. The school invites families to visit both campuses and discover the rich opportunities that a K–12 Catholic education can provide within the vibrant St Matthews community.

Ilford Public School Celebrates Public Education Week
Ilford Public School recently celebrated Public Education Week 2025 under the inspiring theme ‘Ignite Your Potential’.
The school welcomed families and friends to a vibrant Open Day, showcasing the engaging learning environment and community spirit that define this small but passionate school.

Classrooms were filled with excited students proudly sharing their bookwork, STEM projects, and colourful artwork. The joy of learning was evident as students confidently guided their families through their achievements.

Following classroom visits, guests were invited to enjoy a shared reading experience with students before heading outdoors for a delicious morning tea. The day concluded with playful moments on the oval, including a lively game of tag and a few impressive displays from mums taking on the monkey bars - much to the delight of their children.

The school extends a warm thank you to all who attended and continue to support public education at Ilford Public School. Events like these highlight the strength of community and the joy of learning together.

The school with a heart of gold!
Hargraves Public School continues to live up to its reputation as the school with a heart of gold, offering rich learning experiences that inspire curiosity, confidence, and cultural understanding.

Recently, the entire K–6 cohort embarked on a school-wide excursion to the Wellington Caves, capping off their Term 2 science unit focused on geological formations and cave systems. The hands-on experience brought their classroom learning to life, deepening students’ understanding of the natural world.

In celebration of NAIDOC Week, the school welcomed staff from Red Hill Environmental Education Centre, who led students through meaningful activities exploring First Nations Peoples’ connection to Country. The visit provided valuable insight into Indigenous knowledge and perspectives, helping students develop respect and appreciation for Australia’s oldest living cultures.

Hargraves students also shone in the Mudgee Small Schools public speaking competition, an initiative that encourages confidence and communication within the Small Schools Network. Congratulations go to Savannah Andrews and Jack Primmer for placing second, and to Cassie Condren for earning third in their respective categories.

With its strong sense of community and commitment to well-rounded education, Hargraves Public School continues to provide a nurturing and enriching environment for every child.

Celebrating Learning, Creativity and Connection
Mudgee Public School has proudly embraced Public Education Week with a vibrant calendar of events that celebrates student achievement, creativity, and connection across all year levels.

Highlights included open classrooms and the always delightful Year 2 Zoofari presentation. As part of the wider Cudgegong Learning Community, MPS also participated in the Public Education Week Art Show at the Mudgee Arts Precinct, with student artworks on display alongside contributions from schools across the region.

The school’s Support Unit students have been hard at work producing a short film for the national Focus on Ability competition. Their entry, Voices of Ability, is now live and open for public voting at www.focusonability.com.au.

Meanwhile, Kindergarten families have been enjoying the new Once Upon a Wednesday reading initiative - an immersive experience that encourages families to join their children in the joy and importance of storytelling. Younger students are also taking part in Infants Sport, a unique collaboration with Year 10 students from Mudgee High School to help develop fundamental movement skills while building strong cross-school connections.

Mudgee Public’s very own podcasting team continues to shine, with The Hive Podcast offering regular episodes that share stories, school news and student voices with the wider community.

Senior students have been adventuring beyond the classroom, with Year 6 recently heading off on their much-anticipated Canberra excursion. Six lucky students also took part in the Hunter Super Nova Camp at Point Wolstoncroft, joining over 170 students from across the state in tutorials, activities, and friendships designed to support high-potential and gifted learners.
Of course, it wouldn’t be MPS without sport – and students have been giving their all in Touch Football, Netball, Basketball, Rugby League, and Rugby Union during their PSSA knockout rounds.

Finally, Kindergarten students celebrated their first major milestone with the annual “100 Days of Kindergarten” event – dressing up as their future selves and proving that even in their first year, they’re already growing into enthusiastic and engaged learners.

100 Days, Open Doors and Big Smiles
Kandos Public School has enjoyed a vibrant few weeks filled with celebration, creativity and community spirit. Kindergarten students marked a major milestone with the 100 Days of Kindergarten event. The day began with colourful rainbow cupcake baking, followed by a delightful Teddy Bears’ Picnic with families. In the afternoon, students had fun imagining their future selves by drawing humorous portraits of what they might look like at 100 years old - a playful way to reflect on how far they’ve already come in their learning journey.

As part of Education Week, Kandos Public School held a special Open Day on Friday 8 August. The school community gathered for an assembly led by school captains Olivia Ashford, Ryan Gallaher and Lucas Thorn, alongside Principal Mrs Gillian Keough. The event celebrated the achievements of students and staff while acknowledging the valuable support of families and the wider community.

Guests were treated to standout performances from the school’s Eisteddfod Groups, fresh from their success at the Gulgong Eisteddfod. Families also had the opportunity to explore classrooms, speak with students about their learning, and enjoy a P&C sausage sizzle. A special appearance from Fire and Rescue added an extra spark to the festivities.

Kandos Public School thanks everyone who joined in to celebrate student growth and achievement — a true reflection of the school’s proud and connected community.

The Anxiety Project at Cudgegong Valley Public
Cudgegong Valley Public School has proudly committed to “The Anxiety Project,” a whole-school initiative designed to support student wellbeing by building resilience and equipping students with lifelong emotional regulation tools.

This proactive program takes a community-wide approach to managing anxiety, with all staff trained in consistent strategies that help students become stronger emotional problem-solvers. By learning to reframe challenges and respond constructively, students are being empowered with skills to navigate life with confidence.

This term, students across all year levels have begun lessons focused on emotional understanding and self-regulation. The early results have been encouraging, with students showing growth in their awareness and ability to respond thoughtfully to challenges.

Cudgegong Valley PS is also inviting parents and carers to be part of this important wellbeing journey through The Anxiety Project Parent Sessions. These sessions offer practical techniques for supporting children experiencing anxious thoughts or behaviours, with registration available via QR code.

With strong community connections and a consistent school-wide strategy, Cudgegong Valley Public School is helping students - and their families - build healthier, more confident futures.